Archive for the ‘Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe’ tag

It’s one of the most beautiful, influential and intimidating race cars of all time. That’s why the Shelby Cobra Daytona coupe deserves a belated birthday bash, especially after turning the big 5-0 in 2014. The prestigious Goodwood Revival in England will have all many of the six coupes ever built on hand in September for an unprecedented workout, with all getting track time and two competing in the RAC Tourist Trophy race, an integral part of the revival.

Daytona coupes under construction at Shelby’s Venice, California, factory in late 1963.

Designed by the acclaimed Peter Brock for Carroll Shelby, the coupe takes its name from its debut in the 1964 Daytona Continental, where Dave MacDonald and Bob Holbert snatched the pole and dominated the first third of the race. At the time, the World Championship for sports cars was contested under a closed GT formula. With drivers including Dan Gurney, Phil Hill and Chris Amon, the Daytonas grabbed a class victory at Le Mans in 1965, which set Shelby up to claim the season championship. They proved that Americans could succeed at Le Mans, adding urgency to the Ford GT program that followed.

At Sebring in 1965.

The Goodwood Revival takes place from September 11 through 13 on the grounds of the Goodwood Estate in Chichester, West Sussex, England. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For more information, visit the Revival’s website at GRRC.Goodwood.com.

UPDATE (5.June): The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum has clarified that its Daytona Coupe, CSX2287, will not be participating in the reunion.

This Shelby Cobra Daytona tribute car, packing a 560hp Roush engine, is being auctioned off at the Palm Beach edition of Barrett-Jackson.
photo courtesy Barrett-Jackson.com

If you’re bothering to read this, you undoubtedly know the racing legend of the Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe.
You probably also know the bizarre tale of the “missing” Daytona Coupe, once owned by the equally bizarre Phil Spector, that was sold for a reported $4 million to a Philadelphia neurosurgeon a few years back after the previous owner committed suicide by setting herself–and her pet rabbits–on fire.
What you may not have known, however, is that some deep-pocketed collector will soon have the chance to own a Shelby-certified Cobra Daytona replica, powered by a 560hp Roush 427 with a six-speed Tremec transmission, at the Palm Beach Barrett-Jackson, March 29-April 1.
The car is a tribute to the legendary 1964 Sebring winner-the #10 Shelby Cobra Coupe-and was the final car produced in a limited run of 100 by Superformance.
Not only does this Cobra have the long, tall Texan’s stamp of approval, but the winning bidder will also have an opportunity to meet Peter Brock-designer of the original Cobra Coupe-further adding to this car’s collectibility.

(This post originally appeared in the March 23, 2006, issue of the Hemmings eWeekly Newsletter.)